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Aubrey Bailey, 'Mr Stonehenge' dies

AUBREY BAILEY, who has died aged 89, was perhaps best known for the work he directed at Stonehenge between 1958 and 1964

The work involved re-erecting, in their original position, stones that had fallen or become dislodged within recorded history - the earliest record dating from 1690.

The main "Trilithon" stones, weighing some 45 tons, had to be encased in a further 15 tons of steel so they could be lifted into position. To do this, one of Britain's largest cranes - designed to lift aircraft - was borrowed from the Ministry of Defence. Bailey's work at Stonehenge brought him to public attention and he was amused to receive a letter from an admirer in America addressed simply to "Mr Stonehenge, London". The nickname stuck for many years.

Thomas Aubrey Bailey was born on January 20 1912 at Hanley, Staffordshire.

In 1953 he was promoted head of the Ancient Monuments branch, with a staff of 1,400. Boundlessly enthusiastic, he led by example, and combined his love of motoring (he owned a series of Armstrong Siddeleys) with his work by travelling to the 300 ancient monuments in his care as often as he could.